Coronavirus News: What is considered an 'essential service' in Connecticut?

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Here's a look at what is considered an essential business during the coronavirus pandemic in Connecticut. Click here to see what's open and closed in New York and click here to see what's open and closed in New Jersey.

CONNECTICUT

Here's how Connecticut authorities define essential businesses:

1. Essential workers in the 16 Critical Infrastructure Sectors, as defined by the federal Department of Homeland Security unless otherwise addressed in a prior or future executive order pertaining to the existing declared public health and civil preparedness emergency.

2. Healthcare and related operations including:

biotechnology therapies
consumer health products and services
doctor and dentist offices
elder care, including adult day care
health care plans and health care data
home health care workers or aides
hospitals
manufacturing, distributing, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, including research and development
medical marijuana dispensaries and producers
medical supplies and equipment providers, including devices, diagnostics, services, and any other healthcare related supplies or services
medical wholesale and distribution
nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
pharmacies
physical therapy and chiropractic offices
research and laboratory services, including testing and treatment of COVID-19
veterinary and animal health services
walk-in-care health facilities

3. Infrastructure including:

airports/airlines
commercial trucking
dam maintenance and support
education-related functions at the primary, secondary, or higher education level to provide support for students, including distribution of meals or faculty conducting e-learning
hotels and other places of accommodation
water and wastewater operations, systems, and businesses
telecommunications and data centers
transportation infrastructure including bus, rail, for-hire vehicles and vehicle rentals, and garages
utilities including power generation, fuel supply, and transmission

4. All manufacturing and corresponding supply chains, including aerospace, agriculture, and related support businesses

5. Retail including:

appliances, electronics, computers, and telecom equipment
big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries, consumer health products, or operate a pharmacy
convenience stores
gas stations
grocery stores including all food and beverage retailers
guns and ammunition
hardware, paint, and building material stores, including home appliance sales/repair
liquor/package stores and manufacturer permittees
pharmacies
pet and pet supply stores

6. Food and agriculture, including:

farms and farmer's markets, including urban farms and community gardens
food manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution facilities
nurseries, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores
restaurants/bars (provided compliance with all applicable executive orders is maintained)

7. Services including:

accounting and payroll services
animal shelters or animal care or management, including boarding, grooming, pet walking and pet sitting
auto supply, repair, towing, and service, including roadside assistance
bicycle repair and service
building cleaning and maintenance
car washes
child care services
critical operations support for financial institutions
financial advisors
financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and check cashing services
funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries
golf courses and driving ranges
insurance companies
laundromats/dry cleaning
legal and accounting services
mail and shipping services
marinas and marine repair and service
news and media
real estate transactions and related services, including residential leasing and renting
religious services (subject to Executive Order 7D limiting gatherings to 50 people)
storage for Essential Businesses
trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing
warehouse/distribution, shipping, and fulfillment

8. Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations including:

food banks
homeless shelters and congregate care facilities
human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support social service agencies

9. Construction including:

all skilled trades such as electricians, HVAC, and plumbers
general construction, both commercial and residential
other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes
planning, engineering, design, bridge inspection, and other construction support activities

10. Services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of all residences and other buildings (including services necessary to secure and maintain non-essential workplaces):

building cleaners or janitors
building code enforcement
disinfection
doormen
emergency management and response
fire prevention and response
general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
home-related services, including real estate transactions, closings, appraisals, and moving services
landscaping services
law enforcement
outdoor maintenance, including pool service
pest control services
security and maintenance, including steps reasonably necessary to secure and maintain non-essential businesses
state marshals

11. Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care, and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public including: